The New Jersey Devils have selected 462 players to date at the annual NHL Entry Draft, which began in 1963. The Hockey News will continue its series on the franchise's top five picks from each round leading up to the 2024 event on Friday, June 28.
Historically, the Devils have drafted 55 players in the second round, 40 of whom have appeared in an NHL game and 36 of whom have played for Kansas City, Colorado (Rockies), and New Jersey.
The organization's first second-round pick was Glen Burdon (20th overall) in the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft, and their most recent one was Seamus Casey (46th overall) in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Join us to see who makes the cut as the best-drafted player in Devils' history.
Note: Dates, achievements, and statistics obtained from Hockey-Reference.com and EliteProspects.com .
Top New Jersey Devils Draft Picks From the Second Round
5. Eric Weinrich - 32nd Overall 1985
NHL stats: 1,157 GP – 70 G – 318 A – 388 Pt s
New Jersey stats: 173 GP – 13 G – 66 A – 79 Pt s
Eric Weinrich is one of two New Jersey draft picks to skate in over 1,000 games, finishing his 17-year career with 1,157 contests with eight franchises.
Initially drafted by the Devils in 1985, he played four seasons in East Rutherford before bouncing around and finishing his career with 70 goals and 388 points. His best seasons came with the Chicago Blackhawks (1993-1999).
In college, Weinrich was an All-Star and All-American. When he skated in the AHL, he won the Eddie Short Award as the Best Defenseman in 1990 and earned NHL All-Rookie Team honors in his first season.
4. Brendan Morrison – 39th Overall 1993
NHL stats: 934 GP – 200 G – 401 A – 601 Pt s
New Jersey stats: 131 GP – 23 G – 58 A – 81 Pt s
Brendan Morrison played 14 seasons in the NHL, skating with the Devils as a rookie in 1997, departing at the deadline months before the franchise would win their second Stanley Cup title in June 2000.
While with the Vancouver Canucks, he found great chemistry with his linemates becoming a routine 20-goal scorer, reaching the plateau in four of five seasons from 2001 to 2007.
At the University of Michigan, Morrison was a three-time NCAA (CCHA) champion and was a Hobey Baker Award Finalist in 1996, winning the award in 1997. During his first professional season in the AHL, he was a member of the All-Rookie Team and played in the All-Star Game.
In the NHL, he played with seven clubs and won World Championship Gold and Silver Medals in back-to-back years.
3. Sergei Brylin – 42nd Overall 1992
NHL stats: 765 GP – 129 G – 179 A – 308 Pt s
New Jersey stats: 765 GP – 129 G – 179 A – 308 Pt s
Sergei Brylin played 13 seasons with the Devils and is one of just five players to be a member of all three Stanley Cup titles in 1995, 2000, and 2003.
He debuted in 1994-95 and retired from the NHL after 2007-08, spending four seasons in the KHL. As of 2024, Brylin ranks 10th all-time in games played, while his 308 points are 21st in Devil's history.
The former AHL assistant coach was behind the bench with the Devils in 2023-24, bringing a wealth of experience to the ranks, including U20 World Junior and World Championship Bronze Medals.
2. Jay Pandolfo – 32nd Overall 1993
NHL stats: 899 GP – 100 G – 126 A – 226 Pt s
New Jersey stats: 819 GP – 99 G – 124 A – 223 Pt s
Jay Pandolfo was a 15-year veteran who spent 13 years in red and black, winning the Stanley Cup in 2000 and 2003.
While skating with Boston University, Pandolfo was a two-time NCAA (Hockey East) champion, winning the conference's MVP award in 1996 while finishing as the Hobey Baker Award Finalist.
Professionally, he played in the 1998 AHL All-Star Game and was a Selke Trophy Finalist in 2007. Unfortunately, he didn't spend his entire career skating for one year with the New York Islanders and Boston Bruins.
In retirement, Pandolfo became a coach and is now at the helm of the Boston University hockey team.
1. Patrik Elias – 51st Overall 1994
NHL stats: 1,240 GP – 408 G – 617 A – 1,025 Pt s
New Jersey stats: 1,240 GP – 408 G – 617 A – 1,025 Pt s
It is safe to say that Patrik Elias is the best skater in Devils history. Of course, there will be arguments for players not named Martin Brodeur, but the statistics don't lie.
Elias is the top player in the team's record books, thanks to 408 goals, 617 assists, and 1,025 points, the only player to surpass 800 points.
Although Elias ranks third in games played behind Ken Daneyko (1,283) and Brodeur (1,259), it's the only category he's not the leader since he also owns the even strength goals, power play goals, game-winning goals, shots, hat tricks,
Elias was an All-Rookie Team member in the NHL and a three-time All-Star. Internationally, he won an Olympic Bronze Medal and was named Czech Player of the Year twice in 2009 and 2012.
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